Photo Coverage: Chita Rivera Announces 80th Birthday Celebration!

For one night only, Chita Rivera - a theatrical icon and one of Broadway's greatest triple-threat talents - will offer a star-studded event in honor of her 80th birthday.Chita: A Legendary Celebration, directed by Graciela Daniele, will take place Monday, October 7 and will be produced by and benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Check out photos from the big announcement below!

A two-time Tony Award winner, Rivera made her Broadway debut in 1953 in Can-Can, launching one of the most celebrated and long-lasting Broadway careers. Her electric performance as Anita in the Broadway premiere of West Side Storybrought her stardom. This season, she's getting rave reviews starring as Princess Puffer in the Roundabout Theatre Company's celebrated Broadway revival The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

Performing on Broadway, in the West End and around the world, Rivera has worked with many of the greatest musical theatre collaborators, including Leonard Bernstein, Lynn Ahrens, Gower Champion, Cy Coleman, Jerry Bock, Fred Ebb, Dorothy Fields, Stephen Flaherty, Bob Fosse, Sheldon Harnick, Jerry Herman, John Kander, Rob Marshall, Terrence McNally, Hal Prince, Jerome Robbins, Stephen Sondheim, Charles Strouse and more.

Rivera received the coveted Kennedy Center Honor in 2002, making her the first Hispanic ever to receive the award. She also was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.

For more information, click here.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride

Chita Rivera

Jim Caruso

Chita Rivera

Jim Caruso with Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Jim Caruso with Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Jim Caruso with Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Tom Viola with Chita Rivera

Jim Caruso with Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

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As a 14 year old youth, Walter was transfixed by his first Broadway Show, the original production of 'GREASE'. His Journey to celebrity photojournalism began that fateful night. Meeting, photographing and getting to know the cast inspired him to spend his professional life doing what he loved. Walter moved to Manhattan and for a leading role as a Photographer & Photo Researcher. Currently headlining in New Jersey with his partner Richard and family members Dali (Jack Russell) & Gala (Schnoodle). Recently he made his Broadway debut sharing the stage with Hugh Jackman in 'Hugh Jackman on Broadway' as well as receiving the Actors' Equity Association Gypsy Spirit Award. Walter McBride Photography is syndicated worldwide by Corbis/AP.

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